Anna Chakvetadze
Russian tennis star who rocketed into the world's top five with intelligent, counter-punching play before her career was cut short.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Russian tennis player·Birthday: March 5·Millennials
Biography
Anna Chakvetadze burst onto the tennis scene not with overpowering force, but with a clever, anticipatory style that flustered bigger hitters. The Moscow native enjoyed a stunning breakthrough in 2007, reaching the semifinals of the US Open and climbing to a career-high ranking of world No. 5. That year, she won three WTA titles, her game a blend of crisp groundstrokes and tactical savvy. However, a traumatic home invasion and robbery in late 2007 deeply affected her, and persistent injuries soon followed. Her form never fully recovered, and she played her last professional match in her mid-twenties. Chakvetadze's story is one of brilliant, unfulfilled potential, a flash of top-tier talent whose light was extinguished far too soon.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anna was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anna Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Anna's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 5 in 2007.
- Reached the semifinals of the US Open in 2007.
- Won eight WTA Tour singles titles during her career.
Did You Know?
Her father, Djambuli Chakvetadze, was a former wrestler who coached the Russian national judo team.
She was known for her exceptional two-handed backhand.
She defeated then-world No. 1 Justine Henin in the 2007 US Open quarterfinals.
“I play with my head, not just my power.”
